How To Take Control of Your Cookies in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer

Cookies are a controversial topic in today‘s digital privacy debates. These tiny tracking files have become so ubiquitous that most of us don‘t even think twice before accepting cookies whenever we browse the web. But as an online security expert with over a decade of experience, I‘m here to tell you it‘s time to start paying more attention to how websites use cookies to monitor your online activities.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explore everything you need to know about managing cookies in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. My goal is to help you take back control of your privacy by customizing cookie settings based on your personal needs and comfort level. Let‘s dive in!

What Are Cookies and How Do They Work?

Simply put, cookies are small text files created by websites and stored on your computer. They contain information linked to your browsing behavior and history on that particular site. Cookies come in a few different forms:

First-party cookies are created directly by the site you‘re visiting. For example, when you log into your email, the email provider creates a cookie to remember your username and preferences.

Third-party cookies are created by domains outside the main site, usually for advertising or analytics services. For instance, if a clothing website uses a Facebook tracking pixel, Facebook drops a cookie even though you didn‘t visit facebook.com directly.

Session cookies expire as soon as you close your browser window. Persistent cookies have longer lifespans, ranging from a few hours to several years.

So why do websites use cookies in the first place? Here are some of their primary use cases:

• Remembering login credentials and site preferences
• Tracking your activities for targeted advertising
• Gathering usage analytics to improve site performance
• Supporting website features like shopping carts
• Personalizing content to your interests and location

Cookies do provide helpful functionality. But the tracking applications are what worry privacy advocates. Through cookies, companies can monitor your web browsing habits, build extensive profiles about your interests and behaviors, and serve up targeted ads that follow you around the internet.

According to a 2021 Statista survey, 59% of respondents said they were concerned about the amount of data companies collect through cookies. It‘s easy to feel powerless against invasive tracking, but the good news is you have more control than you think when it comes to managing cookies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Cookies in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge has robust built-in tools for controlling cookie behavior. Here‘s a step-by-step walkthrough to clear out existing cookies from your Edge browser:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Choose Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar.
4. Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section.
5. Click the Choose what to clear button.
6. Check the box next to Cookies and saved website data.
7. Use the Time range drop-down menu to choose how far back you want to delete cookies from. I recommend selecting the beginning of time.
8. Click the Clear now button.

This process will delete all cookies Edge has stored on your device within the chosen time frame. Be aware it will also sign you out of any websites you‘re currently logged into.

Deleting Cookies from Specific Sites

If you only want to remove cookies from certain sites, here are the steps:

1. Open Edge browser settings and go to Privacy, search, and services.
2. Scroll down and click Cookies and site permissions.
3. Select Manage and delete cookies and site data.
4. Click the See all cookies and site data link.
5. Browse the list of all sites with cookies stored on your device.
6. Once you locate the site(s) you want to delete cookies for, click the trash can icon next to the domain name.

Blocking All Cookie Storage in Edge

Rather than manually clearing them out, you may want to block all cookie storage entirely:

1. Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions in Edge.
2. Toggle on Block third-party cookies.

This prevents any outside domains from dropping cookies. You can take it a step further by flipping the switch off for Allow sites to save and read cookie data. However, completely blocking cookies is likely to break functionality on many sites.

A better solution is using a VPN or antivirus software with ad and tracker blocking capabilities. These tools allow you to block unwanted cookies in the background without breaking sites.

Deleting Cookies in Internet Explorer

Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer in June 2022. If you still use Internet Explorer 11, here are the steps to clear out cookies:

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools icon (shaped like a gear).
2. Select Internet options from the drop-down menu.
3. Navigate to the General tab.
4. Under Browsing history, click the Delete button.
5. Make sure Cookies and website data is checked.
6. Click the Delete button.

This will erase all cookies Internet Explorer has stored on your device. To delete cookies for specific sites only, click the Sites button before step 6. Uncheck any sites you want to keep cookies for.

Blocking Cookies in Internet Explorer

To fully disable cookie storage in Internet Explorer:

1. Open the Tools menu and choose Internet options.
2. Navigate to the Privacy tab.
3. Click the Advanced button to open Advanced Privacy Settings.
4. Under Cookies choose how you want to handle first and third-party cookies. The most restrictive option is to block them all.
5. Click OK to save your settings.

I don‘t recommend fully blocking cookies as it will break many site features. A smarter approach is using security tools like a VPN or antivirus software to filter out tracking cookies before they reach your browser.

Clearing Cache, Browsing History, and Other Tracking Data

Beyond cookies, here are a few other forms of browser data you may want to periodically clear out:

Cache – This contains temporary copies of images, videos, and web pages that load faster than retrieving the full-size versions again. Over time the cache builds up and takes over space on your hard drive.

Browsing history – Your browsing history is a detailed record of time-stamped website visits. Clearing it adds another layer of privacy by removing your footprint.

Saved website data – This includes cached copies of website code, offline web content, and other data that sites store locally on your device. Deleting it provides a clean slate.

Autofill form data – Your name, address, phone number, and other info saved by your browser for fast form filling. Screen this data carefully as it can be tracked.

Saved passwords – Any passwords saved by your browser should be checked for safety and cleared out if no longer needed.

Downloads history – List of files downloaded from the web. If sensitive, clear for privacy.

Media licenses – DRM licenses for playing restricted media content. Another potential tracking vector.

Here are the steps to clear cache, browsing history, and other tracking data in Microsoft Edge:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
2. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
3. Check the boxes for Cached images and files, Browsing history, and any other data types you want to delete.
4. Click Clear now.

For Internet Explorer, follow the cookie deletion steps but check Temporary Internet Files to clear cache and History to erase browsing history. You can also access other data types like form info and downloads.

4 Cookie Management Best Practices

Based on my extensive experience in online privacy, here are my top tips for taking control over cookies:

1. Periodically clear cookies and cache – Set reminders to regularly wipe your cookie and cache data. This deletes tracking accumulations and frees up device storage.

2. Use private browsing modes – When browsing sensitive topics, use Edge or IE‘s InPrivate mode. It auto-deletes cookies after you close the window.

3. Disable third-party cookies – Blocking cross-site tracking cookies in your browser settings enhances privacy substantially.

4. Install additional privacy tools – Ad blockers, tracker blockers, and VPNs give you advanced control based on cookie behavior rather than origin. I can provide some recommendations if helpful!

Navigating the Cookie Trade-Offs

Although cookies can be abused for tracking, many sites rely on them to store preferences and enable personalized features. Completely blocking cookies may impair functionality, so try finding a middle ground:

• Use tools like VPNs to filter invasive tracking cookies only.

• Delete accumulated cookies often, but keep general storage enabled.

• Disable third-party cookies to limit outside tracking.

• Check for cookie management options on sites you frequent and trust.

• Use private browsing when visiting websites you don‘t want monitoring your activity.

Getting familiar with the cookie settings in Edge and Internet Explorer is an excellent start. From there you can make informed decisions about which cookies to accept vs. reject based on their purpose and origin.

FAQs About Managing Cookies

Here are answers to some common cookie questions that may come up:

Are persistent cookies worse than session cookies for privacy?

Generally yes. Persistent cookies have longer lifespans, allowing them to track you across multiple browsing sessions. Disabling third-party persistent cookies gives the biggest privacy improvement.

How can I delete cookies on my mobile browser?

Most mobile browsers like Chrome and Safari give you the option to "Clear cookies and data" in history or settings. You can also uninstall then reinstall the app to completely wipe the cookie slate.

Will deleting cookies speed up my browser?

Clearing cookies, cache, and history can provide a small temporary speed boost by freeing up storage space and memory. But new data is quickly re-accumulated. For sustained performance gains, upgrade to a lighter browser like Edge.

Can I automate cookie deletions?

Yes! Many antivirus programs and VPNs offer automated cookie clearing at set intervals. You can also find browser extensions that delete cookies with one click or on exit.

Are there other identifying supercookies I should watch for?

Yes, a few to note are fingerprinting, canvas tracking, and evercookies which revive themselves even after deletion. But following general cookie best practices will help minimize risks.

Take Action to Manage Your Cookies

I hope this guide has illustrated that with the right approach, knowledge, and tools, you can absolutely gain control over cookie tracking. Don‘t let the vastness of online data harvesting make you feel powerless. Start implementing these cookie management best practices today to take meaningful action that improves your privacy.

Remember, I‘m always happy to answer any other cookie-related questions you think of. Feel free to reach out! The internet still holds so much potential for learning and connection when we thoughtfully manage our digital footprints.